Marathon Racing events are straightforward racing events on courses between 6 and 320kms. The water may be still, moving, rough or a combination of the three. Competitors may be able to paddle the whole length or they may have to carry (portage) their boats around various obstacles, locks, low bridges, and weirs or from a canal to a river.
The BCU facility objectives for marathon are:
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Enhance the BCU National Development Centre at Holme Pierrepont.
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Secure more access to longer stretches of flat water for competition and training.
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Develop a hierarchy of facilities to allow the development of personal skills and the development of excellence.
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Develop a network of Performance Centres and Development Centres.
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Develop the club structure.
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Marathon Racing Facility Framework
The facility needs of Marathon have been identified as comprising:
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A national centre, based at the National Water Sports Centre, Holme Pierrepont.
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A spread of Performance Centres of at least one per region.
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Development centres to develop skills and techniques of at least two per region.
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An infrastructure of clubs in all main population centres to introduce people to Marathon canoeing.
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For each level of the framework, site specific locations are identified along with a summary of either on-site deficiencies at a particular facility or deficiencies in total coverage.
Current deficiencies to be overcome:
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National Centre, Holme Pierrepont
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Extend and enhance BCU National Canoeing Development Centre.
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Increase built ancillary facilities and equipment.
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Install portage facilities into the river Trent.
Performance Centres
Teside - relocate club.
Deficiencies in
North West
Yorkshire
Development Centres
Deficiencies in Parts of all regions.